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Propertymark has appealed to Scotland’s new First Minister to reassess its rent control plans following Humza Yousaf’s resignation.
The measures originally set out by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon would limit rent increases to 3% a year from September 2022 to April 2024.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which is still in draft form in Parliament, would permanently impose some form of cap on rent increases during and between tenancies.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Humza Yousaf’s resignation will provide an opportunity for his successor to re-evaluate rent control plans, encourage investment and help the property sector reduce its carbon footprint. “This is an opportunity to develop a roadmap.” Clear funding incentives and achievable goals. ”
In Scotland, rents actually increased by 10.5% in the year to March 2024. This is because landlords are believed to have significantly increased prices on new rental properties to compensate for potential future restrictions.
Tenants union Living Rent has expressed concern that plans for permanent rent control could be wiped out following Mr Yousaf’s resignation, and will be implemented once a new prime minister is appointed.
This was revealed by a spokesperson for Living Rent. big problem: “The Bute House Agreement is over, but we cannot afford to bring rent control with it. Rent control is a much-needed policy to address Scotland’s housing crisis.
“If the SNP wants to support tenants, they will uphold their commitments to landlords and the policies we need.
“Tenants across Scotland are desperate for rent control. Our politicians need to ensure that rent controls passed into law not only lower rents, improve quality and are tied to properties rather than tenants. , we need stronger protections against evictions.”
Humza Yousaf resigned after abruptly terminating the power-sharing agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, leaving the SNP in a minority government.
Relations between the two parties became strained after Scotland scrapped its pledge to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.